Months ago at Curly Girl Collective's Curlfest in Prospect Park, I was given a few samples from Shea Moisture's Fruit Fusion Coconut Water collection. There are 9 products in this collection, and I received the weightless shampoo and creme rinse. As much as I don't like using products, I was very interested in product that claimed to be light while boosting hydration and controlling frizz. With the change in weather, I could feel my hair responding to the drier air - hydration was in need. As anti-product as I am, I am super anti-shampoo so I only used the creme rinse for this review. This past Saturday was wash day, and this seemed right up my non-product alley.

The Goods: After doing my apple cider vinegar clarifying rinse, I typically do a deep conditioning with olive oil - letting it sit on my hair for 10-15 mins under a plastic cap. I decided to reach for the Shea Moisture creme rinse instead. Right away I liked the lightness of the product. I could tell it would not be too sticky and would leave my hair feeling clean. And it did not disappoint! I left it on under a plastic cap for closer to 20 mins (I got distracted), and was pleasantly surprised at how light and product free my hair felt after washing it out. Also, my detangling process was almost down to nothing after using this. The apple cider vinegar does a great job of loosening coils, but I could feel a difference in my hair's softness after using the rinse.

The Bads: I was a bit unsure of the fruity smell at first. Since I only use unscented oils on my hair, I am typically not a fan of smelling like a Bath & Body Works. I will say that the smell was light and not overpowering, but I would have loved for it to be unscented. The dragon fruit, lychee berry and green apple ingredients let me know this was going to be a fruit smelling product, and it wasn't as distracting as I expected.

Final Words: My hair can sometimes take two days to dry after being washed. I woke up the very next morning with dry hair that wasn't super shrunk and lifeless like I am used to after wash day. Best of all, my hair was literally squeaking while putting my shea butter/grapeseed oil mixture on before flat twisting. I am used to hearing this after my acv rinse, but using any product after already starts the build up that prevents this squeaky clean feeling. Shea Moisture really made this product light and weightless, which makes it perfect for naturals who don't want the heavy product feel. If your hair needs heavy duty product, this collection won't be for you. But if you are like me, and like to have your hair as close to bare as possible, give this line a try!

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity" Galatians 5: 22 MSG

I had the amazing opportunity to work with Jon of Jonnie Face Photos on a late summer shoot in Brooklyn. Sometimes when you're just meeting a photographer there is this weirdness while you get comfortable - but this was camera love at first sight. And not to mention that the pictures turned out beyond perfect. It was so exciting to style my first full shoot for A Nu Creature. Many more to come!

"God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible" 2 Timothy 1: 7 MSG

I know I am jumping the gun by a little over a week, but it feels like fall outside. Yesterday I rocked a denim jacket and black booties (which is basically my fall wardrobe) and felt so excited about the crisp air days ahead. Summer was great, but me - and my hair, wardrobe and lip color - are more than ready for the humidity to chill for a few months and let us live. With a change in the air, I can already feel my hair acting a bit different than it has over the last summer months. Every season is a good marker to think about your hair care routine and see what your hair may be missing as the air changes. Below are some of the changes I have made to get ready for a new season:Creams instead of Oils
I have been pouring on the olive oil all summer to battle humidity, but as things cool down I start to use butters and creams instead. My favorite is to mix shea butter with a few drops of coconut oil and use to seal my hair after spraying it with water every night.

Growth Serum Upgrade
Because my scalp is sweating less, I use more growth serums on my scalp overnight. I don't expect to see waist length strands over night but all-natural serums with jamaican black castor oil, ylang ylang oil and vitamin E does great things for scalp and root health once the air gets a bit drier. Ends Trimmed
I will admit that I'm not the best at getting my ends trimmed consistently, but at the start of each season I make sure to do a light dusting of my ends while I am twisting my hair for the night. Last night I trimmed the very ends of each section before putting on my cream/oil mixture and flat twisting.Less Up-dos
Humidity forced me to rock the puff and goddess twists pretty often, which put some strain on my edges. Once the weather cools down I try to let my hair be free as much as possible to give my front and sides a break from the pulling.

"It is not what you and I do...It is what God is doing, and He is creating something totally new, a free life!" Galatians 6:15